American Fashions – 1902

This black and white illustration of a woman is a composite of a drawing of the gown and and of a photo, with color added, of the model’s face. The woman turns, presenting a three-quarter pose, and an outlined rectangle with a four petaled flower in the lower left corner creates a decorative element behind her. Her dress is has three types of decoration, dots, ruffles, and black parallel bands. The bodice and skirt are patterned with small black dots.

The bodice has a high neck, and soft gathers at the waist. The shoulders are patterned with four parallel bands on each side, with round button accents at the end of each band, in front and back. At the waist is a black waist band, and above that two more parallel bands, ending with buttons at the front. Each of these two bands rises at the front and ends just before the center front of the dress.

Below the front shoulder bands is a gathered lace ruffle, with more lace ruffles down the center front of the bodice to the waist. The sleeves are white and elbow length, with ruffles at the elbow. The sleeves seem to be tucked for most of their length, with one section, half way down, released to form a puffed panel. The skirt is in two sections, and is smoothly fitted at the waist and hips, flaring out towards the hem.

The upper section is dotted, and ends in two large scallops just below knee length with a lace or embroidered border. The under layer, which includes a short train, is white softy gathered fabric with a lacy or embroidered border. She wears long white gloves, and her flat brimmed straw hat is topped with large roses and egret feather plumes. In the lower right of the plate is a smaller back view of the dress.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges